Lonely mum's plea for friends receives heartwarming response

The early years of parenthood are often described as a whirlwind of exhaustion, stress, and utter joy.
However, as one Melbourne woman has learned, this life stage can also be incredibly lonely.
Being a stay-at-home mother with a “pretty busy” husband, the Carrum Downs local has found herself yearning for some companionship - both for her, and her four-year-old son.
The trouble is, finding friends to spend time with is often easier said than done, particularly when there are children to consider.
So, the 30-year-old decided to turn to her Facebook community for help.

A mum's plea for friends has struck a chord with fellow parents. (Getty)
“I am a bit embarrassed to post this so I really appreciate your help,” her anonymous post in the Bayside Mothers Group begins.
“I am looking for someone to play the role of my new best friend.”
The mum explains that while she has some friends, she’s not “first priority” for them, making it hard to organise catch-ups.

She is also hoping her new friend will have a child of their own around her son’s age.
“He is always so desperate for a friend to come visit or to play with when we go out ... I feel so sorry for him,” she writes.
The woman adds that she doesn’t want a friend who only has time to fit the two of them into their lives “occasionally”.

'I am looking for someone to play the role of my new best friend' (Getty)
“Serious applicants only please ... promise we are fun and easy going!” her message concludes.
The post received a flood of supportive comments from fellow mums in the group, many of whom volunteered for the role of new best friend.
“I’m 30, I don’t work at the moment, I have a busy hubby and a 4 yr old son - feel free to msg me. My little guy is so active and adventurous we are always looking for fun things to do!” one wrote.
The mum’s honesty about her loneliness also clearly resonated; several commenters shared that they, too, understood how isolating it can be to raise a child.

“I have about three friends and see them basically never as they all work. I, on the other hand, am a SAHM with four kids, and apart from being a mum and a wife I have zero life so am always free,” one wrote.

LISTEN: The Honey Mums podcast on how to identify the parents you don't need to befriend. (Post continues.)

“I’m the kind of friend that has an open door policy. I don’t care if it’s 4am and you’re lonely or 4pm and you’re board and want to sit on my couch and play your phone. I’m keen and I got your back either way.”
“Don’t be shy Anon, contact everyone who has responded with love and kindness,” another wrote.
“You will have more friends than you can keep track of soon.”